USA Swimming Foundation and YMCA of the USA Aim to Offset Drowning Epidemic

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado, March 14. IN response to the alarming statistic that nine people drown each day in the United States, the USA Swimming Foundation has teamed with the YMCA of the USA to provide free/low-cost swim lessons for at-risk children who are enrolled in their school's free or reduced lunch program. The partnership is a local implementation of Make a Splash, USA Swimming Foundation's national anti-drowning initiative. Launching in Omaha, Neb., today, additional communities involved in this collaborative education program include Raleigh-Durham, N.C., San Jose, Calif. and Philadelphia, Pa.

"The USA Swimming Foundation and the YMCA partnered in an effort to ‘bridge the gap' between water safety education and activation. Research tells us that if a child doesn't learn to swim by the third grade, they likely never will," said Chris LaBianco, chief development officer for the USA Swimming Foundation. "Swimming is more than a recreational skill, it's a skill that can save lives, and it is vitally important that we provide this opportunity to kids from all socio-economic groups at an early age."

Make a Splash water safety curriculum will be available for students at 10-20 schools in each market, and will target children who are included in the free or reduced lunch program. Through the partnership, children will have access to one session of eight swimming lessons for a nominal fee of five to 10 dollars. Children who do not participate in the reduced lunch program are also encouraged to participate and can apply for financial assistance at the YMCA.

The YMCA of the USA will provide the instructors and pool time, while the USA Swimming Foundation will back the program financially through "Sponsor a Swim Lesson," the fundraising arm of Make a Splash. Both organizations have dedicated $30,000 each to support the program.

"The YMCA learn to swim program is designed to teach water safety skills and basic stroke mechanics. Most children who participate in these lessons develop skills to become safe in and around the water," said Mike Eubank, Program Director, National Competitive Sports Events for YMCA of the USA. "I'm thrilled that through this partnership, we are taking an active approach to educating children on the health benefits and enjoyment of a lifelong skill like swimming."

"This is exactly the type of partnership that lets us reach kids in a way that will help keep them safe and improve their quality of life," said LaBianco. "In addition, we will have Olympic hopeful swimmers speak to children in each market to help to further demonstrate the benefits of learning to swim."

For more information on Make a Splash, or to sponsor a swim lesson for a child, please visit www.makeasplash.org. For more information on the YMCA of the USA, please visit www.ymca.net.

Special thanks to USA Swimming for contributing this report.

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